How to make Popped Amaranth (2024)

FAQs

Why are my amaranth seeds not popping? ›

Not hot enough and they don't pop but just burn. On my induction stovetop that goes from 1-9 and with cast iron pot I need to preheat my pot for about 5 minutes on 7 and then the amaranth pops perfectly.

Puffed Amaranth or Popped Rajgira is easy to make gluten free snack that is popped similar to popcorn and consumed as is or in various recipes.

ETA: my MOP for this was a deep pot heated to between 350-400 °F (experimented with different temps) for several minutes between batches. I used a mesh strainer over the pot to catch the popping seeds.

Amaranth is a nutritious, gluten-free grain that provides plenty of fiber, protein and micronutrients. It has also been associated with a number of health benefits, including reduced inflammation, lower cholesterol levels and increased weight loss.

Ideally, you should not eat amaranth raw but there's nothing necessarily dangerous in doing so. You can remove the anti-nutrients in most foods by soaking or boiling them.

For people with intolerance to lysinuric protein, eating amaranth may cause diarrhoea and stomach pain. Moreover, another side effect of lysine increase body's calcium absorption, and bring free, damage-causing amount of calcium in the body. So avoid taking large amounts of calcium and lysine at the same time.

Packed with protein and other nutrients, amaranth seeds can be simmered in water, popped like popcorn, or even made into a quick breakfast porridge in the microwave.

Even though the power grain from tropical regions of the world is a real sun worshipper, you should definitely store it protected from light, in a dry place to maximize the shelf life of the puffed amaranth. The minimum shelf life is 12 months from the date of production in the original sealed package.

Amaranth is stir-fried, cooked in soups, steamed, and, in its youngest, most tender form, eaten raw in a salad. It can replace spinach in any recipe, but note that amaranth will cook a little faster than spinach.

Amaranth provides gluten-free protein, which can be consumed even by people with health conditions such as gluten allergy or celiac disease. Good for gut health: Both the seeds and leaves are rich in fiber. Fiber aids in the digestion system, prevents constipation, and maintains gut health.

Can you pop amaranth in an air popper? ›

Good news is my baby was fine with me eating it. That's when I started to do research and experiment with it. When I read somewhere amaranth can be popped like popcorn and eaten like cereal, I immediately dropped some in my popcorn air popper.

It's crucial that your pot is fully heated. If you don't cover the pot amaranth will pop everywhere. If the amaranth doesn't start popping within 3 seconds your pan is not hot enough.

Start with a dry skillet or pan and heat it to high (gas range) or medium-high to high (electric). Spoon 1 tsp at a time of grains into your pan once good and hot. Don't be discouraged if the grains don't pop right away or if they burn.

Good news is my baby was fine with me eating it. That's when I started to do research and experiment with it. When I read somewhere amaranth can be popped like popcorn and eaten like cereal, I immediately dropped some in my popcorn air popper.

Combine the amaranth and water in a small saucepan, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer 30 minutes. Stir every once in a while, as the amaranth may stick to the bottom of the pan. Stir in the milk, syrup or brown sugar, and a pinch of salt.

We harvest amaranth by breaking the heads off the plants, leaving the stems standing (when we're done, we cut them down to the ground with a billhook/machete to decompose through the winter). To get the grain off the head, we have tried several techniques: rubbing it by hand on a screen made of hardware cloth.